Dendritic metallodrugs: An overview of their anticancer properties

Abstract

Dendrimers are highly branched macromolecules synthesized in a stepwise manner. They can be easily functionalized on their surface to fulfill the desired properties, and to entrap diverse guests inside their structure. This review displays the different types of dendritic metal complexes which have been tested as anticancer drugs, at least on cells, and sometimes in vivo. The metal is located in most cases on the surface of the dendritic structure, but it can also be located inside the structure, in the branches or at the core. This review is mainly organized according to the type of dendrimers, in particular PAMAM (poly(amidoamide)), PPI (poly(propyleneimine)), PPH (poly(phosphorhydrazone)), CSi (poly(carbosilane)), and poly(arylether). The dendrimer can be a metal drug by itself, or it can function as a prodrug carrying and releasing the metal drug complexed at the branches. The IC₅₀ values (the drug concentration necessary to kill 50 % of the cells) are given in most cases, to assess the efficiency of the dendritic drugs. The use of dendritic complexes for photodynamic therapy (PDT) against cancers is also reviewed.